Sarri: Scoring solutions and Christensen's improvement

Maurizio Sarri has identified the areas we need to improve in if we are to score against Newcastle tomorrow, and the boss also discussed the recovery made by Andreas Christensen and Callum Hudson-Odoi after they started back-to-back matches for the first time this season.

Despite dominating possession and territory against Tottenham on Tuesday night, we couldn’t find the net. That has also been the case in our prior two league matches on home soil, against Leicester and Southampton, so it is clear for Sarri where we must do better when the Magpies visit Stamford Bridge.

‘We need to score,’ Sarri stressed.

‘We need to solve this problem. In the last match we played very well, with continuity and with a very good offensive and defensive phase, and with a great performance from a physical point of view - the best of the season - but we didn’t score. We have to work and try to solve it as soon as possible.

‘I think the match will be the same, but I hope to score in the first 30 minutes,’ continued Sarri when asked if he was expecting a similar approach from Newcastle to that of Leicester and Southampton.

‘If the match is the same we have to be patient and improve, not in the offensive phase, but in the box and attacking the box from lateral balls, and improve attacking spaces from uncovered balls. We need to improve in the last 20, 25 metres.’

Sarri pointed out that Newcastle’s away form makes them difficult opposition. They have lost three of their 10 road trips so far this season, in contrast to the eight losses they have suffered at St James’ Park, a venue we won 2-1 at back in August.

Sarri revealed he will wait until after training today to assess the fitness of some members of his squad, including Christensen and Hudson-Odoi who started our recent cup ties. He has noted the Danish defender’s recent rise in performances.

‘He has improved in defending by looking at the ball. Now he is ready to play. We have a very good option for David, for Rudiger. I don’t know about tomorrow because he played 2 matches in three days for the first time this season, as Callum did.

‘Callum recovered very well from the first match, yesterday he was a little bit tired but I think that’s normal for the first time in the season when you play two matches in three days. I want to see today the level of recovery.’